Android OEMs also get android…
Android is not owned by Google. Android comes from the AOSP (android open source project) which is free and open source. Google contributes but so do the other OEMS.
Android without Google’s proprietary bits (Play services, Play Store, etc.) is not very appealing to most end-users. Google has been working hard to move more and more of the Android experience out of AOSP to make sure OEMs stay in line. Ever notice how a lot of built-in apps update through the Play Store now?
True. Unfortunately Google’s intention isn’t to protect the user experience by keeping the OEMs in line, it’s to control and profit off of that control.
Is Android heavily associated to Google? Of course. Should it be? I would say no. Hence the original comment.